Moro rebel killed in clash with gov’t soldiers in North Cotabato

Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato—One more member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters has been killed in a clash with government forces in North Cotabato, bringing to 10 the number of Moro fatalities since the group began harassing Philippine Army and paramilitary positions in the province at the end of 2013, a military official said Monday.

Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for the 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said one BIFF guerrilla was killed in a clash with soldiers of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Barangay (village) Paidu Pulangi in the municipality of Pikit at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Three other BIFF fighters were wounded in the sporadic fighting between the rebels and soldiers on the banks of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, he added.

Bulao said the BIFF, which had broken away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, has been harassing and sniping soldiers assigned to remote villages in the municipalities of Pikit and Aleosan since December 31.

Two Army battalions have been stationed along the Rio Grande de Mindanao where the BIFF operates. Bulao said the infantrymen form part of Task Force Malmar (Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project), which was formed to counter alleged harassment by BIFF guerrillas of government workers and private contractors at the irrigation dam.

The Army had earlier accused the BIFF of demanding payment of P5 million a month from the Malmar irrigation dam administration.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, denied the rebels had suffered heavy casualties. He threatened more attacks on soldiers assigned in the border between the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

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